What Elements Will You Find in Epics and Myths?

1. What Elements Will You Find in Epics and Myths? Feature Menu Epic Literature Elements of Epics Oral Tradition Epic Characters Character Foils Myths Purposes of Myths Mythic Characters Your Turn

2. Epic Literature Epics are long narrative poems that tell of the adventures of heroes. In some way, epic heroes embody the values of their civilizations. For example, a hero may demonstrate values of strength, bravery, or intelligence. [End of Section]

3. Elements of Epics Epics are found in many cultures and share the following characteristics: • a physically impressive hero of national or historical importance • a vast setting • a quest or journey in search of something of value • the involvement of supernatural forces • a basis in a specific culture or society • characters struggling against fate

4. Elements of Epics Read the following passage from the Odyssey, which is based in Greek culture. Now Zeus the lord of cloud roused in the north a storm against the ships, and driving veils of squall moved down like night on land and sea. The bows went plunging at the gust; sails cracked and lashed out strips in the big wind. Now Zeus the lord of cloud roused in the north a storm against the ships, and driving veils of squall moved down like night on land and sea. The bows went plunging at the gust; sails cracked and lashed out strips in the big wind. How do supernatural forces play a role in this passage? The god, Zeus, stirs up a storm.

5. Elements of Epics Quick Check “What of my sailing, then, from Troy? What of those years of rough adventure, weathered under Zeus? The wind that carried west from Ilion brought me to Ismaros, on the far shore, a strongpoint on the coast of the Cicones. . . . I might have made it safely home, that time, but as I came round Malea the current took me out to sea, and from the north a fresh gale drove me on, past Cythera. Nine days I drifted on the teeming sea. . . .” from the Odyssey by Homer, translated by Robert Fitzgerald How does this passage show the Odyssey’s vast setting? [End of Section]

6. Oral Tradition Many ancient epics were sung or spoken by generations of anonymous storytellers. As a result, the epics changed slightly with each retelling. Literary epics, however, were created by individuals.

7. Oral Tradition Most epics include poetic elements, such as figurative language. Figurative language puts aside literal meanings in favor of imaginative connections. His mind was a well-oiled machine. = His mind isn’t literally a machine, but this figure of speech expresses his intelligence.

8. Oral Tradition Epics may also repeat certain images and phrases. Read the following selections from the Odyssey. When the young Dawn with fingertips of rose lit up the world, the Cyclops built a fire and milked his handsome ewes, all in due order. . . . When the young Dawn with fingertips of rose lit up the world, the Cyclops built a fire and milked his handsome ewes, all in due order. . . . When Dawn spread out her fingertips of rose the rams began to stir, moving for pasture, and peals of bleating echoed round the pens. . . . When Dawn spread out her fingertips of rose the rams began to stir, moving for pasture, and peals of bleating echoed round the pens. . . . What is the repeated image?

9. Oral Tradition Quick Check How does this passage about the Cyclops use figurative language? “Neither reply nor pity came from him, but in one stride he clutched at my companions and caught two in his hands like squirming puppies to beat their brains out, spattering the floor. Then he dismembered them and made his meal, gaping and crunching like a mountain lion— everything: innards, flesh, and marrow bones.” from the Odyssey by Homer, translated by Robert Fitzgerald [End of Section]

10. Epic Characters The epic hero, who represents the values of a society, is at the center of every epic. Epic heroes are exceptional people who undertake difficult quests or journeys. Through the journey, heroes aim to achieve something of value to themselves or their people.

11. Epic Characters Epic heroes may experience many obstacles, or conflicts, along the way. These conflicts are sometimes external, created by forces of nature or, as in many epics and myths, the gods.

12. Epic Characters Epic heroes also experience internal conflict. Faced with an internal conflict, the heroes struggle to overcome their own feelings or fears. [End of Section]

13. Character Foils Most epic heroes have a foil. A foil is a character that stands in stark contrast to another character. For example, Superman’s foil is Lex Luthor, a villain whose evil contrasts with Superman’s goodness. [End of Section]

14. Epic Characters Quick Check Identify the conflict Odysseus faces in this passage. Is the conflict internal or external? “I might have made it safely home, that time, but as I came round Malea the current took me out to sea, and from the north a fresh gale drove me on, past Cythera. Nine days I drifted on the teeming sea before dangerous high winds.” from the Odyssey by Homer, translated by Robert Fitzgerald

15. Myths Myths are stories that are nearly always religious. They often include gods and other supernatural beings, and sometimes attempt to explain natural forces. Often, myths were passed on by word of mouth. We can learn a lot about a culture or society from its myths. [End of Section]

16. Purposes of Myths Most cultures have myths that explain natural phenomena, such as • seasonal changes • fire • lightning • drought • floods • death

17. Purposes of Myths Myths also • teach moral lessons • explain history • express the deepest fears and hopes of the human race

18. Purposes of Myths Some myths describe rivalries among the gods. They also describe the consequences of disobeying higher powers.

19. Purposes of Myths Quick Check From this opening paragraph, what seems to be this myth’s purpose? King Priam sulked on hearing the envoys’ account of their visit to Salamis, and when his own son Paris ran away with Queen Helen of Sparta and brought her to Troy, the king refused to send her back. It was this decision that provoked the long, calamitous Trojan War, which benefited nobody, not even the conquerors. from “Paris and Queen Helen” retold by Robert Graves [End of Section]

20. Mythic Characters In some myths, the characters have notable characteristics, or traits. For example, in Native American myths, Coyote is a trickster who is always causing trouble.

21. Mythic Characters Several myths also feature horrible animals and monsters with terrifying strength. These animals and monsters are difficult to escape from or subdue.

22. Mythic Characters As in epics, many myths tell about gods and goddesses. These gods and goddesses often interact with humans, sometimes testing or playing with humans as if they were chess pieces on a board. Zeus Athena Poseidon

23. Mythic Characters Quick Check The goddesses arrived together, each in turn unveiling her beauty and each in turn offering a bribe. Hera undertook to make Paris Emperor of Asia. Athena undertook to make him the wisest man alive and victorious in all his battles. But Aphrodite sidled up, saying: “. . . You deserve to marry a woman almost as beautiful as myself—let me suggest Queen Helen of Sparta. One look at you, and I’ll make her fall so deep in love that she won’t mind leaving . . . everything, for your sake!” from “Paris and Queen Helen” retold by Robert Graves How do the goddesses interact with the human, Paris? [End of Section]

24. Analyze Elements of Epics and Myths Your Turn Read the following excerpt from Virgil’s Aeneid, a story of the founding of ancient Rome. Then, answer the questions. 1. What qualities of the epic hero does Aeneas possess? Aeneas escaped from the flames of Troy, bearing his old father on his back . . . accompanied by a few friends and his little son Ascanius. He had been told in a dream that it was his destiny to found a nation in a country lying far to the west, Italy, to which divine guidance would eventually bring them. . . . Many years of wandering lay before them, at the end of which they would Reach their new home. Passing Sicily, where lived the monster Polyphemus, who shouted terrible threats after them from the shore, they were met by a fearful storm sent by [the goddess] Hera, who hated all the Trojans but especially Aeneas, and had resolved that he should never reach Italy.

25. Analyze Elements of Epics and Myths Your Turn 2. In this excerpt, which kind of conflict—external or internal—does Aeneas face? Aeneas escaped from the flames of Troy, bearing his old father on his back . . . accompanied by a few friends and his little son Ascanius. He had been told in a dream that it was his destiny to found a nation in a country lying far to the west, Italy, to which divine guidance would eventually bring them. . . . Many years of wandering lay before them, at the end of which they would Reach their new home. Passing Sicily, where lived the monster Polyphemus, who shouted terrible threats after them from the shore, they were met by a fearful storm sent by [the goddess] Hera, who hated all the Trojans but especially Aeneas, and had resolved that he should never reach Italy.

26. Analyze Elements of Epics and Myths Your Turn 3. What role do the gods play in this excerpt? Aeneas escaped from the flames of Troy, bearing his old father on his back . . . accompanied by a few friends and his little son Ascanius. He had been told in a dream that it was his destiny to found a nation in a country lying far to the west, Italy, to which divine guidance would eventually bring them. . . . Many years of wandering lay before them, at the end of which they would Reach their new home. Passing Sicily, where lived the monster Polyphemus, who shouted terrible threats after them from the shore, they were met by a fearful storm sent by [the goddess] Hera, who hated all the Trojans but especially Aeneas, and had resolved that he should never reach Italy.

27. The End